Events

As part of its 60th anniversary programme, WWF has joined forces with curatorial practice Artwise to launch Art For Your World, a new movement to engage the art world in raising funds and awareness needed to combat the climate and nature crises. A series of actions take place this autumn, in the context of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place November 1–12 in Glasgow.

Art For Your World is a wide call to artists, collectors, galleries, institutions and art lovers to make a meaningful connection between art and the environment, in order to support the ground-breaking work being carried out by WWF, one of the world’s largest conservation organisations. The activities include a charitable auction at Sotheby’s of several outstanding works of art, the sale of exclusive new prints by three leading contemporary artists and arts organisations all over the world speaking out for action against climate change.

The funds raised by Art For Your World will be used to support key areas of WWF’s work that contribute to combatting dangerous climate change, such as: halting deforestation; supporting indigenous communities; conserving and restoring trees and forests; replanting seagrass meadows; protecting endangered species; and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Contemporary artists Tracey Emin, Jadé Fadojutimi, Anish Kapoor, Vera Lutter, Jessica Rankin, Bob and Roberta Smith, Gavin Turk and Rose Wylie are pledging their commitment to Art For Your World by selling works at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Day Auction, from October 8 to 15, 2021, with proceeds donated to WWF. Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Heather Phillipson and Bob and Roberta Smith are creating new, limited-edition prints exclusively for the movement, on sale online from early October. W1 Curates will display all these works from September 27 to October 10 on their large screen covering the façade of 167 Oxford Street.

In the lead-up to and during COP26, participating galleries, museums and arts organisations will champion the cause on social media using the hashtag #ArtForYourWorld and contribute to the conversation on sustainability and climate change by promoting artists and works related to environmental issues, sharing commitments to climate action and hosting special exhibitions, talks and events.

The growing list of Art for Your World participants includes: Almine Rech, Artist Support Pledge, Associação Brasileira de Arte Contemporânea, David Zwirner, Dundee Contemporary Art Centre, Gagosian, Gallery Climate Coalition, Hauser & Wirth, Ingleby Gallery, Kate MacGarry, Lehmann Maupin, Lisson Gallery, Modern Art Oxford, Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden, National Museums Wales, Tate Modern, Thaddaeus Ropac, Thomas Dane, The Ingram Collection, The Photographers’ Gallery, Victoria Miro, White Cube and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Tanya Steele, CEO at WWF, says: “Our world stands on the brink of irreversible harm from dangerous climate change so working together has never been more important. At WWF, we know that the art world is increasingly conscious of the role it can play in saving the planet—our one shared home—whether by reducing carbon emissions or exploring environmental issues through art. The pandemic has created time and space for us to consider a new way forward, and we believe that now is the time to join forces, so both the art world and the art-loving public can respond to the urgency of the climate and nature crisis.”

Susie Allen, Founding Director at Artwise, says: “For six decades now, WWF has been combatting the climate emergency to save our planet. During this critical and dangerous tipping point, it is essential that we harness the art world’s power to influence, galvanise and make a real difference. Art For Your World has already had tremendous uptake in its inception and we are calling out to many more artists, collectors, galleries, institutions and art lovers everywhere to help us to draw even greater attention to the climate crisis in the coming months.”

Visit artforyourworld.com for more information.